Earlier this March, Portugal’s Defense Minister Nuno Melo announced that, given the recent U.S. posture on the international geostrategic stage, the country should explore European alternatives for replacing its fleet of F-16 multirole fighters. His remarks suggested that Lisbon might abandon its plans to procure the fifth-generation F-35 from American Lockheed Martin.
However, shortly after, the Director of Engineering and Programs of the Portuguese Air Force, Major General João Nogueira, clarified that, at the service level, all options were still under consideration, and the F-35 wasn't excluded.
Read more: Gripen still Relies on U.S. Engine But Sweden Offers it to Portugal as F-35 Alternative
Moreover, as of late March, the Air Force had not yet conducted a formal options analysis, an important factor in shaping future political decisions.
Then, the Air Force General Staff Chief, General João Cartaxo Alves, reaffirmed that the Air Force still leaned toward the F-35. He confirmed earlier this week that to meet operational needs, Portugal requires a fifth-generation aircraft — and currently, the only platform meeting that requirement is the F-35.
In this context, Portugal’s future fighter competition appears to be narrowing primarily to two candidates: the F-35 and Saab’s Gripen. Although not a 5th-gen, the JAS 39 Gripen is the most viable European alternative.
The CEO of Saab, Mikael Johansson, has publicly stated that negotiations with Lisbon over a potential Gripen sale are ongoing.
Nevertheless, Sweden hasn't resolved the biggest issue with its fighter: Gripen still relies on the American-made General Electric F414G engine for propulsion. This dependency could weigh heavily on Portugal’s final decision, and not in its favor. Because if the U.S. will have leverage anyway, Lisbon might at least prefer an aircraft that aligns more closely with the Air Force’s operational priorities, irrespective of any political complications.
Read more: Lockheed Martin Announced 5+ Generation Fighter Development Based on F-35, Promised to Deliver a "Ferrari"
